tech companies seemed immune to large-scale layoffs, and as their profits skyrocketed, those cushy jobs became highly sought-after. But economic headwinds, and the looming influence of AI, are leading to some tumultuous changes in the tech industry.
In just the first seven weeks of this year, Amazon, Google, Discord, Duolingo, Cisco, Instacart, and dozens of others all made deep staffing cuts. It all adds up to tens of thousands of jobs lost across the industry, and the cuts aren't slowing down. It doesn't help that interviewing for tech jobs is getting harder too, with employers asking for more and more work or rigorous testing before making a hire.
This week, WIRED senior writer Paresh Dave joins us to talk about whether the layoffs will cool off, and why right now is a daunting time to be looking for a tech job.
Show Notes:
Read Paresh’s story about how Google has been
cutting down on its acquisitions lately. Read Amanda Hoover on recent
tech industry layoffs, and her story about the
TikTok layoff videos folks have been posting. Read Lauren’s story about how
tech job interviews are getting even more demanding. And of course, follow all of WIRED’s coverage of how
AI and how it affects people’s livelihoods.
Recommendations:
Paresh recommends making an effort to connect and collaborate with your disabled colleagues. Lauren recommends the documentary
The Eternal Memory. Mike recommends listening to Ty Segall’s new album
Three Bells and watching his
live show.
Paresh Dave can be found on social media @
peard33. Lauren Goode is @
LaurenGoode. Michael Calore is @
snackfight. Bling the main hotline at @
GadgetLab. The show is produced by Boone Ashworth (@
booneashworth). Our theme music is by
Solar Keys.